CompleteLife Artistic Expression
In workshops, people affected by cancer create mosaics that describe their cancer journey.
The Cancer Mosaic Workshops invite people whose lives are affected by cancer to share their stories and experiences through the creation of art
mosaics like those pictured here.
The workshops are scheduled for March 6, May 1, July 10, and Oct. 30. All take place at the IU Simon Cancer Center from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. See below about registration.
Many mosaics are hanging in the new patient building of the IU Simon Cancer Center (right) and others will be part of a traveling exhibit.
The day-long workshops include a time for sharing individual journeys and then weaving them into a collective story that is translated onto paper using watercolor paint. Once the image is on paper, the fun of selecting colorful tiles and then breaking them into pieces begins. As tiles are broken, they are placed onto the mosaic board and the image comes to life. Mosaic artist Liza Hyatt and watercolor artists Tina and John Gianfagna are your guides through this process so no artistic experience is 
needed.
It may be best to describe the day and the experience of making a mosaic with the words of a participant from a spring workshop:
“I just have to tell you what a wonderful day we had with you this past Saturday at the Mosaic [Workshop]. It was a wonderful day for my mom, sister, daughter, me and my good friend Dona. It was neat to share the stories, tears, laughter, friendship and wonder of seeing our ideas and creations come to fruition. You ... put on a wonderful day and made us feel so special and pampered by serving us breakfast and lunch and by the very essence of who you are and your indescribable patience and compassion. I was in awe of our finished panels and the stories that went with them.” -- G. Kirby, workshop participant
Others have commented that the finished mosaic is an illustration of their personal journey, a lasting visual remembrance of this particular time and place in their lives.
"In the mosaics, I now have a legacy that I can leave behind ... and I created it with kindred spirits who truly understand this journey."-- S. Reed, workshop participant
If you are interested in learning more about the Cancer Mosaic Workshops or you would like to sign up for one, please contact Mary Lynn Hoffmann, CompleteLife Program coordinator, at (317) 278-4630.
We hope to see you soon!